10 to try: Steakhouses

Have a meat craving that needs to be satisfied? Check out these 10 steak restaurants in Dubai

By
Will Milner
01 March 2010

Rare: Driving 20 minutes out of Dubai for a steak may seem like a journey too far, but Dubai’s clued-up carnivores are more than willing to make the trip when the destination in question is Rare. Nestled in the ultra-chic Desert Palm resort, this award-winning steakhouse has a lot going for it: picturesque views of polo fields, charming candlelit ambience and friendly staff. The well-rounded menu is awash with delicacies: from bison fillet to barbary duck and the heavenly elk loin, you’ll be hard-pushed to choose (if you’re stumped, you can always settle for the perfectly cooked Angus fillet).
For more information, contact 04 323 8888

The Exchange Grill: Some restaurants ooze class as soon as you walk in the door. The Exchange is a prime example: from the sleek, earthy décor to the polite nod of the maitre d’ and the ultra-efficient staff, it promises much. And we’re delighted to report that the food more than lives up to expectations. The menu covers all the dishes you’d expect of a high-end steakhouse (think wagyu, lobster, etc) plus fish and lamb options. Slick amuse bouches whet the appetite – sorbet served atop a colour-changing, illuminated ice cube, anyone? – and the steaks are heavenly.
For more information, contact 04 332 5555

Hunters Room & Grill: Hunters has a lot to live up to (not least because it was highly commended at last year’s Time Out Awards) but there’s always a danger of setting the bar too high. Hunters certainly boasts a few nice flourishes that add to its dining experience, for example there are 12 types of speciality salt to choose from (ever sampled Hawaiian volcanic salt, or diamond salt from Pakistan? No? Well, go to Hunters) and the efficient staff wax lyrical about the char-grilled technique used to give their steaks a tasty crust.
For more information, contact 04 399 4141

La Parrilla: This restaurant has dominated the Latin American category in the Time Out Restaurant Awards for the past few years, and has even rated highly in the Best Steakhouse category. It shows no signs of slipping either, as the steaks here still rank among the best in town. Meat is clearly of high importance – the menus arrive in a weightly leather case, and cow print adorns the chairs. The South American flavours feature in the many sauces and starters on offer, while the tango dance troupe really hits the influence home (there are salsa lessons held here some days, and diners are also asked to join in between courses).
For more information, contact 04 406 8999

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Does Dubai really need yet another steak restaurant imported from the States? We know what you’re imagining: a TGI-style batterfest with lashings of melted cheese. Luckily, Ruth’s Chris is about as far from your typical greasy diner as it’s possible to get – there’s not a singing waiter or an ice-cream sundae in sight. And the food itself is heavenly. From the slick, modern décor to the friendly service, everything about this place impresses. The menu offers steakhouse staples with a few American twists including six types of potato.
For more information, contact 04 501 8666

JW Steakhouse: Restaurants with real character can be hard to come by in this city, but JW’s is renowned among seasoned expats as the real deal (after all, the hotel in which it resides has been around for 16 years – ancient by Dubai standards). From the green leather-winged armchairs to the nameplates on the tables commemorating past guests, the place oozes old-school charm. Even the knowledgeable staff have the air of efficient butlers, providing discreet service interspersed with insider advice about the finer points of the menu. And what a menu. There’s nothing flashy or modern here, just top-quality food, with every item guaranteed to satisfy seasoned steak cognoscenti.
For more information, contact 04 607 7977

MJ’s Steakhouse: We wouldn’t recommend visiting MJs if you suffer from erythryphobia (the fear of the colour red) since fiery red hues dominates everything, from manly murals to plush leather. If the red’s too much for you, opt to sit outside on the terrace – the low lighting and pattering of the fountains make a romantic dining spot. But beyond the scarlet surroundings lies a great selection of outstanding (albeit fairly pricey) steaks. There’s nothing out of the ordinary on the menu, but the staples are superbly prepared and expertly presented by knowledgeable staff, who are pleased to offer recommendations.
For more information, contact 04 366 6730

Manhattan Grill: When designing a steak restaurant, it must be easy to plump for the same old leather-clad, macho interior. Luckily, Manhattan Grill has taken a different tack, with elegant décor that evokes an air of 1930s and ’40s New York. We love its oh-so-sleek style, from the gorgeous china plates to the jazz music purring softly through the speakers. The quality of the food is top notch: succulent wagyu and prime Nebraska beef will tickle the taste buds of seasoned steak connoisseurs, while pescetarians can opt for the lobster or fish.
For more information, contact 04 317 2222

St. Maxim: St Maxim’s is a surprisingly plush eatery tucked behind Ski Dubai , and it serves some of the best-quality beef in the city. A ruby-red interior matches the delicious colour of the fresh, marbled meat you are presented with if you choose to stone grill your steak. Slice off chunks of the prime meat and sear it on your plate of sizzling volcanic rock, pop it in your mouth and feel it dissolve on your tongue in a way that only high-quality meat can.
For more information, contact 04 341 3415

The Meat Co: The Meat Co is unfailingly popular. As proof, if you want to eat on the weekend you will need to book two days in advance or wait 45 minutes for a table. But you’ll soon find out why. The steaks are tender and perfectly cooked (as long as you don’t go for the cheapest option on the menu – a small lump of overcooked meat), the sauces are piquant, the chips are chunky and the burgers are juicy. Plus, the Madinat Jumeirah branch benefits from basking in the glowing light of the faux Arabian wind towers, the sparkling water from the manmade canal, the abras silently chugging by and – the ace in the hole – the clear view of the Burj Al Arab .
For more information, contact 04 420 0737